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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Ethnobotany 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115326  Master of Science in Ethnobotany 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of a Master of Science in Ethnobotany is to educate and train learners to become researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The learners can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of supervised planning and implementation of a research project which includes the formulation of a research question, collection of appropriate experimental material, improving procedures, obtaining data, analysis and interpretation of data, and writing of a dissertation according to a structured format and related literature.

Ethnobotany is the scientific study of the traditional knowledge and customs of people concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other uses. A qualification in ethnobotany combines anthropological studies of human-environment interaction and sociocultural knowledge of plants in different parts of the world with ecology, conservation science, biodiversity management and climate change science. It also covers the use of medicinal plants and ethnopharmacology, plant conservation and sustainable management practices, taxonomy and economic botany.

At the end of this qualification, a learner will present evidence of advanced learning and research in the form of a dissertation which will place his/her research under national and international intellectual scrutiny.

Rationale:
The study of Ethnobotany looks at the relationship between plants and people, particularly the role of plants in human culture and practices, how humans use and epitomise plants in their systems of knowledge. The field of ethnobotany focuses on how indigenous plants are used for cooking, healing, hunting, building and wearing, as well as ceremonial purposes.

The rationale behind the qualification in a Master of Science Degree in Ethnobotany is based on the fact that the South African government has committed itself to the involvement of traditional healers in official healthcare services and, thus, taken steps towards the official recognition and institutionalisation of African Traditional Medicine. This qualification will provide scientific evidence on the use of plants in healthcare practices, to bridge a gap between biomedical and traditional health practitioners.

A qualification in ethnobotany will contribute to the strategic goals of the South African Bio-economy. The bio-economy strategy calls for industry, science councils, government departments and academia to work together to ensure that biotechnology and bio-innovations are market relevant and find more open application in South Africa. There is, therefore, a need to train learners to develop the ability to manufacture drugs, vaccines and other biologics locally, to improve the health sector's bio-economy and to help the country achieve its public health goals.

At Master's level, learners will receive practical training in mixed methods and learn to conduct interdisciplinary research in Ethnobotany, in preparation for Doctoral study or a career in related fields.

Most ethnobotany jobs are in academia or working at botanical gardens. Ethnobotanists also find employment in public health, research and development companies or herb companies. Some develop their career niche working with medical offices, regulators or nature groups. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners may obtain this qualification through RPL following the institution's RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Botany, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The following qualifification consists of the compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits:

    Compulsory module, Level 9:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Plan and do research independently and report the results.
    2. Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards considered to be new or innovative by peers. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies in an integrated manner across Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Choose a research title, identify research questions and conduct a literature search.
  • Design the research project, identify, modify and develop research techniques and procedures to be used.
  • Present evidence of advanced learning and research in the form of a thesis.
  • Present research findings in front of an audience in national and internal conferences.
  • Publish results in accredited and peer-reviewed international journals.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Two external examiners will assess the learner based on a submitted dissertation which must contribute to the scientific knowledge and insight of a selected subject. The thesis must also provide evidence of individual and original scientific thought. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Kent in Canterbury, United Kingdom, offers MSc in Ethnobotany which is an interdisciplinary programme. Students enrolled for this programme receive practical training in mixed methods and learn to conduct interdisciplinary research in Ethnobotany, in preparation for doctoral research or a career in related fields. This MSc is an intensive 12-month programme; in the first six months students take eight coursework modules and then undertake a project and write a dissertation in the second six months. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Botany, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Ethnobotany, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Fort Hare 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.